Nice Day at the Range

Shakyshoot · 10-09-2018, 01:33 PM

Much better day at the range today. No equipment snafus and no wind at all. You could set down a stack of targets and they wouldn't move. 63 degrees and sunny. I shot 40 rds of mild 44 mag with my 629, 90 rds of .22 with my Volquartsen, and quick-blasted 40 rds at a 10 yd silhouette with my PPQ .45. Had one really nice 5 shot group with the .44. I'm calling it 1 9/16" for 25 yd offhand. Looks like 3 10's and 2 9's, but using a bullet as a gauge says it's a clean 5 x 10. Never touched the X ring.

Just for fun I shot 50 rds of .22 very fast at one 10 yd target. Got the vast majority in the one big hole. There was a guy shooting a full auto .22, so I didn't think my mag dumps would draw any attention. There's no specific rule against it anyway.

I did okay at 25 yd slowfire with the .22. Got a 93 and a 92. This target doesn't look that great, but it's got enough 10's for a pretty good score of 93.

When I got home, the UPS man had brought my Fastfire 3 sent back by Burris. Sure enough, they sent me a brand new sight, sealed with all the accessories and new battery. The mailman is supposed to bring the identical FF3 I bought off ebay, and the Raptor revolver mount today too. So, next range trip I should be shooting my 5" 686+ with the red dot.

RidgeRunner · 10-09-2018, 03:42 PM

Looks like you had an extremely fine day Shaky. Congratulations.

bearcatter · 10-09-2018, 04:34 PM

I'd just consider the previous trip a "warmup". Looks like you did fine, not the least shaky, Shaky....

We expect a good review when you do the 686.

Shakyshoot · 10-09-2018, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bearcatter

We expect a good review when you do the 686.

I'm really torn about putting the FF3 on the 686, because I like having it next to the bed and carrying it around the neighborhood now and then. But I'm all about the red dots at the range these days, and it's either going on the 686 or the 69 44 mag. If I had red dots on both my 44's I'd go broke buying ammo. So, I really feel like I need it on a 38/357. The only solution is to buy another 686. I don't think I'll be buying any more guns this year, though.

RidgeRunner · 10-10-2018, 03:15 AM

Shaky, here is a business plan for you. Get gunnerforum.com to put you on the payroll for one dollar per year. Wear a gunnerforum.com t-shirt to the range. Then every gun you buy can be a tax deduction for advertising. How is that for creative tax planning. With that thought in mind, go buy another 686.

44s Rock · 10-10-2018, 05:21 AM

Great shooting Shaky, looks like a fun trip!

Shakyshoot · 10-10-2018, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RidgeRunner

Shaky, here is a business plan for you. Get gunnerforum.com to put you on the payroll for one dollar per year. Wear a gunnerforum.com t-shirt to the range. Then every gun you buy can be a tax deduction for advertising. How is that for creative tax planning. With that thought in mind, go buy another 686.

If everything goes according to plan I should be paying zero income tax for the foreseeable future, so that probably won't help.

The local pawn shop is tormenting me with at least half a dozen fresh revolvers. The only one that's really up my alley is the exact same Smith 14-3 I just bought. Not quite as nice, but $65 less than what I paid and has presentation grips. Plus 3 Ruger single actions. Two 44 mags and a 45 Colt Vaquero. And a couple cheap Tauri. They're usually pretty reasonable on guns. They get a lot in and they turn over fast. One of these days I'll buy one in there.

north country gal · 10-12-2018, 07:08 AM

Great shooting. I'd be very happy with those results. We're overdue for a range trip, but the weather has been more winter-like than fall. Even had some snow, yesterday.

Speaking of Model 14s, here's a pre-model 14, a K-38 masterpiece, shipped January of 1957, so probably made in '56. Just picked it up, locally. 1957 was the year S&W changed to model numbers, so this one just missed being called a Model 14. Haven't had a chance to take it to the range, yet, but lockup is tight as new and he trigger, of course, is excellent.

No vintage Smith collection is complete without a K-38/Model 14, so here's ours. This one has a standard trigger, but a target hammer and, of course, target grips. Doesn't get much better in a vintage Smith.

gunjunkie · 10-12-2018, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by north country gal

Great shooting. I'd be very happy with those results. We're overdue for a range trip, but the weather has been more winter-like than fall. Even had some snow, yesterday.

Speaking of Model 14s, here's a pre-model 14, a K-38 masterpiece, shipped January of 1957, so probably made in '56. Just picked it up, locally. 1957 was the year S&W changed to model numbers, so this one just missed being called a Model 14. Haven't had a chance to take it to the range, yet, but lockup is tight as new and he trigger, of course, is excellent.

No vintage Smith collection is complete without a K-38/Model 14, so here's ours. This one has a standard trigger, but a target hammer and, of course, target grips. Doesn't get much better in a vintage Smith.

That sure is a beauty, NCG.

Shakyshoot · 10-12-2018, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by north country gal

Speaking of Model 14s, here's a pre-model 14, a K-38 masterpiece, shipped January of 1957, so probably made in '56. Just picked it up, locally. 1957 was the year S&W changed to model numbers, so this one just missed being called a Model 14. Haven't had a chance to take it to the range, yet, but lockup is tight as new and the trigger, of course, is excellent.

Nice gun NGC. I'll happily trade grips with you. Hate those skinny Magnas. I'm still waiting for my Tyler T-grips to arrive. They cashed my check over 3 weeks ago.

north country gal · 10-13-2018, 06:21 AM

Thanks, folks.

I'm not a fan of the magna grips, either. Actually, I should say, I have no use for them since I don't carry and the magna are carry grips. Since we're target shooters, all of our revolvers like this end up with target grips. Makes a lot more sense for us.

44s Rock · 10-14-2018, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by north country gal

Great shooting. I'd be very happy with those results. We're overdue for a range trip, but the weather has been more winter-like than fall. Even had some snow, yesterday.

Speaking of Model 14s, here's a pre-model 14, a K-38 masterpiece, shipped January of 1957, so probably made in '56. Just picked it up, locally. 1957 was the year S&W changed to model numbers, so this one just missed being called a Model 14. Haven't had a chance to take it to the range, yet, but lockup is tight as new and he trigger, of course, is excellent.

No vintage Smith collection is complete without a K-38/Model 14, so here's ours. This one has a standard trigger, but a target hammer and, of course, target grips. Doesn't get much better in a vintage Smith.

From what my Niece tells me, you're already getting snow!
Nice Smith!!

north country gal · 10-14-2018, 08:15 AM

Yup, had some light snow a couple days, ago, and now some light snow as I write this. Has been a pretty bleak month for shooting, so far. Have been mostly just shooting some air guns in the yard when I can. Hope to get out to the range this week, but now that we're closer to deer season, we get a lot of once a year shooters at our range checking their deer rifles. Sometimes gets a little crowded and every once in awhile, you can get a character who is pretty sloppy on safety. Not very often, but enough to be extra vigilant.

Shakyshoot · 10-14-2018, 03:23 PM

Got both of my Burris Fastfire 3's mounted, and made a rare Sunday range trip to try out the 686 5" with the dot. I like it. Got a nice low sight picture with the Raptor mount. The first shot was over a foot high at 10 yd, but it only took 10 rounds to get a ballpark sight-in. Rounds 11 through 15 made this 3/4" 10 yard group.

Best I did at 25 yd was this 2 3/8" group. Not bad, but not as good as with the 44 mag the other day. Pretty sure the 629 has a lighter SA trigger.

Couldn't quite put together 10 good shots today. This target had a nice center group and a couple of crazy fliers.

Shot 70 rd of Herter's 158 gr fmj 38 spl and about 100 rd of .22. Pretty quiet at the range when I got there at 10:00, but it was busy when I left. Had a couple next to me where the guy was teaching the girl to shoot for the first time. I don't think he knew much more than she did. They were hitting my target holder, and she giggled like a schoolgirl while the range officer was trying to point out that she shouldn't sweep the line with her muzzle. I'm going to assume it was nervous laughter at being singled out by the RO. I didn't see her sweep the line, but I kept an eye on them after that. They kept the muzzle downrange, but a finger was on the trigger any time a gun was in hand.

north country gal · 10-15-2018, 06:47 AM

Great work and, being a S&W fan, love the guns, of course. I also have the Burris Fastfire on a couple of my revolvers and like it. In fact, most of my current production Smiths wear red dots, now, since they're all target shooters, anyway. At an age, now, where some days are pretty tough for using irons sights, but with red dots, I can shoot, well, no matter what, even on days of poor lighting. Going red dot has really given me more opportunities for range time.

north country gal · 10-20-2018, 08:00 AM

Speaking of 44 mags and red dots, I finally found my perfect vintage of a 629 in this 629-3. (Yeah, I tried swearing off 44 mag revolvers, but couldn't help myself. Hey, I've been shooting 44 mags all my life.)

The -3 is early enough so no MIM parts, no lock, comes with factory optional wide target hammer and trigger and hammer mounted firing pin (my preference). Late enough, though, to have the 629 endurance package for better durability with heavy 44 mag loads and a top strap drilled and tapped for a scope mount. Already shot it for a quick test run and it shoots awesome. Here it is, now wearing an Ultradot 25. SA trigger is competition worthy.

10-09-2018, 01:33 PM	#1
Shakyshoot Senior Member Joined: Jun 2015 From: High Desert of South Arizona Posts: 863	Nice Day at the Range Much better day at the range today. No equipment snafus and no wind at all. You could set down a stack of targets and they wouldn't move. 63 degrees and sunny. I shot 40 rds of mild 44 mag with my 629, 90 rds of .22 with my Volquartsen, and quick-blasted 40 rds at a 10 yd silhouette with my PPQ .45. Had one really nice 5 shot group with the .44. I'm calling it 1 9/16" for 25 yd offhand. Looks like 3 10's and 2 9's, but using a bullet as a gauge says it's a clean 5 x 10. Never touched the X ring. Just for fun I shot 50 rds of .22 very fast at one 10 yd target. Got the vast majority in the one big hole. There was a guy shooting a full auto .22, so I didn't think my mag dumps would draw any attention. There's no specific rule against it anyway. I did okay at 25 yd slowfire with the .22. Got a 93 and a 92. This target doesn't look that great, but it's got enough 10's for a pretty good score of 93. When I got home, the UPS man had brought my Fastfire 3 sent back by Burris. Sure enough, they sent me a brand new sight, sealed with all the accessories and new battery. The mailman is supposed to bring the identical FF3 I bought off ebay, and the Raptor revolver mount today too. So, next range trip I should be shooting my 5" 686+ with the red dot.

10-12-2018, 07:08 AM	#8
north country gal Senior Member Joined: Jan 2013 From: northern wisconsin Posts: 5,997	Great shooting. I'd be very happy with those results. We're overdue for a range trip, but the weather has been more winter-like than fall. Even had some snow, yesterday. Speaking of Model 14s, here's a pre-model 14, a K-38 masterpiece, shipped January of 1957, so probably made in '56. Just picked it up, locally. 1957 was the year S&W changed to model numbers, so this one just missed being called a Model 14. Haven't had a chance to take it to the range, yet, but lockup is tight as new and he trigger, of course, is excellent. No vintage Smith collection is complete without a K-38/Model 14, so here's ours. This one has a standard trigger, but a target hammer and, of course, target grips. Doesn't get much better in a vintage Smith. Last edited by north country gal; 10-12-2018 at 07:23 AM.

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10-09-2018, 03:42 PM	#2
RidgeRunner Senior Member Joined: Nov 2015 From: Buck Ridge, Georgia Posts: 3,355	Looks like you had an extremely fine day Shaky. Congratulations.

10-09-2018, 04:34 PM	#3
bearcatter Senior Member Joined: Aug 2015 From: Virginia Posts: 3,857	I'd just consider the previous trip a "warmup". Looks like you did fine, not the least shaky, Shaky.... We expect a good review when you do the 686.

10-10-2018, 03:15 AM	#5
RidgeRunner Senior Member Joined: Nov 2015 From: Buck Ridge, Georgia Posts: 3,355	Shaky, here is a business plan for you. Get gunnerforum.com to put you on the payroll for one dollar per year. Wear a gunnerforum.com t-shirt to the range. Then every gun you buy can be a tax deduction for advertising. How is that for creative tax planning. With that thought in mind, go buy another 686.

10-10-2018, 05:21 AM	#6
44s Rock Senior Member Joined: Jan 2009 From: Far Western WA. Posts: 10,824	Great shooting Shaky, looks like a fun trip!

10-13-2018, 06:21 AM	#11
north country gal Senior Member Joined: Jan 2013 From: northern wisconsin Posts: 5,997	Thanks, folks. I'm not a fan of the magna grips, either. Actually, I should say, I have no use for them since I don't carry and the magna are carry grips. Since we're target shooters, all of our revolvers like this end up with target grips. Makes a lot more sense for us.

10-14-2018, 08:15 AM	#13
north country gal Senior Member Joined: Jan 2013 From: northern wisconsin Posts: 5,997	Yup, had some light snow a couple days, ago, and now some light snow as I write this. Has been a pretty bleak month for shooting, so far. Have been mostly just shooting some air guns in the yard when I can. Hope to get out to the range this week, but now that we're closer to deer season, we get a lot of once a year shooters at our range checking their deer rifles. Sometimes gets a little crowded and every once in awhile, you can get a character who is pretty sloppy on safety. Not very often, but enough to be extra vigilant.

10-14-2018, 03:23 PM	#14
Shakyshoot Senior Member Joined: Jun 2015 From: High Desert of South Arizona Posts: 863	Got both of my Burris Fastfire 3's mounted, and made a rare Sunday range trip to try out the 686 5" with the dot. I like it. Got a nice low sight picture with the Raptor mount. The first shot was over a foot high at 10 yd, but it only took 10 rounds to get a ballpark sight-in. Rounds 11 through 15 made this 3/4" 10 yard group. Best I did at 25 yd was this 2 3/8" group. Not bad, but not as good as with the 44 mag the other day. Pretty sure the 629 has a lighter SA trigger. Couldn't quite put together 10 good shots today. This target had a nice center group and a couple of crazy fliers. Shot 70 rd of Herter's 158 gr fmj 38 spl and about 100 rd of .22. Pretty quiet at the range when I got there at 10:00, but it was busy when I left. Had a couple next to me where the guy was teaching the girl to shoot for the first time. I don't think he knew much more than she did. They were hitting my target holder, and she giggled like a schoolgirl while the range officer was trying to point out that she shouldn't sweep the line with her muzzle. I'm going to assume it was nervous laughter at being singled out by the RO. I didn't see her sweep the line, but I kept an eye on them after that. They kept the muzzle downrange, but a finger was on the trigger any time a gun was in hand.

10-15-2018, 06:47 AM	#15
north country gal Senior Member Joined: Jan 2013 From: northern wisconsin Posts: 5,997	Great work and, being a S&W fan, love the guns, of course. I also have the Burris Fastfire on a couple of my revolvers and like it. In fact, most of my current production Smiths wear red dots, now, since they're all target shooters, anyway. At an age, now, where some days are pretty tough for using irons sights, but with red dots, I can shoot, well, no matter what, even on days of poor lighting. Going red dot has really given me more opportunities for range time.

10-20-2018, 08:00 AM	#16
north country gal Senior Member Joined: Jan 2013 From: northern wisconsin Posts: 5,997	Speaking of 44 mags and red dots, I finally found my perfect vintage of a 629 in this 629-3. (Yeah, I tried swearing off 44 mag revolvers, but couldn't help myself. Hey, I've been shooting 44 mags all my life.) The -3 is early enough so no MIM parts, no lock, comes with factory optional wide target hammer and trigger and hammer mounted firing pin (my preference). Late enough, though, to have the 629 endurance package for better durability with heavy 44 mag loads and a top strap drilled and tapped for a scope mount. Already shot it for a quick test run and it shoots awesome. Here it is, now wearing an Ultradot 25. SA trigger is competition worthy.